Polymerases, compositions, and methods of use

ABSTRACT

Presented herein are altered polymerase enzymes for improved incorporation of nucleotides and nucleotide analogues, in particular altered polymerases that maintain high fidelity under reduced incorporation times, as well as methods and kits using the same.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/753,558, filed Oct. 31, 2018, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

This application contains a Sequence Listing electronically submittedvia EFS-Web to the United States Patent and Trademark Office as an ASCIItext file entitled “IP-1546-US_ST25.txt” having a size of 224 kilobytesand created on Oct. 31, 2019. The information contained in the SequenceListing is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to, among other things, alteredpolymerases for use in performing a nucleotide incorporation reaction,particularly in the context of nucleic acid sequencing by synthesis.

BACKGROUND

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology relies on DNA polymerases asa critical component of the sequencing process. Reduction of the timefor sequencing a template while maintaining high fidelity is desirable.Reducing each cycle of a sequencing by synthesis (SBS) process is auseful step to achieving a shorter sequencing run time. One approach toreduce cycle time is to reduce the time of the incorporation step.However, while reductions in incorporation time could offer significantimprovement to the overall run time, they typically do so at the expenseof fidelity. For instance, phasing rates, pre-phasing rates, and/orbypass rates increase, and as a consequence error rate is increased. Atlow error rates, during a sequencing run most template molecules in acluster terminate in the same labeled nucleotide and the signal isclear. In contrast, at reduced fidelity, during a sequencing run anincreasing number of template molecule in a cluster terminate in theincorrect labeled nucleotide and the signal can become too noisy toaccurately determine which nucleotide was incorporated.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are recombinant DNA polymerases. One example of apolymerase of the present disclosure includes an amino acid sequencethat is at least 80% identical to a 9°N DNA polymerase amino acidsequence SEQ ID NO: 1.

In one embodiment, a polymerase also includes an amino acid substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Tyr497 and at leastone amino acid substitution mutation at a position functionallyequivalent to Phe152, Val278, Met329, Val471, Thr514, Leu631, or Glu734in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence, and optionally furtherincludes amino acid substitution mutations at positions functionallyequivalent to amino acids Met129, Asp141, Glu143, Cys223, Leu408,Tyr409, Pro410, and Ala485 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acidsequence.

In one embodiment, a polymerase also includes an amino acid substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Tyr497 and at leastone amino acid substitution mutation at a position functionallyequivalent to Lys476, Lys477, Thr514, Ile521, or Thr590 in the 9° N DNApolymerase amino acid sequence, and optionally further includes aminoacid substitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent toamino acids Met129, Asp141, Glu143, Cys223, Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, andAla485 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence.

In one embodiment, a polymerase also includes an amino acid substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Tyr497 and at leastone amino acid substitution mutation at a position functionallyequivalent to Arg247, Glu599, Lys620, His633, or Val661 in the 9° N DNApolymerase amino acid sequence, and optionally further includes aminoacid substitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent toamino acids Met129, Asp141, Glu143, Cys223, Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, andAla485 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence.

In one embodiment, a polymerase also includes (i) an amino acidsubstitution mutation at a position functionally equivalent to Tyr497;(ii) at least one amino acid substitution mutation at a positionfunctionally equivalent to Phe152, Val278, Met329, Val471, Leu631, orGlu734 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence, and (iii) atleast one amino acid substitution mutation at a position functionallyequivalent to Lys476, Lys477, Thr514, Ile521, or Thr590 in the 9°N DNApolymerase amino acid sequence, and optionally further includes aminoacid substitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent toamino acids Met129, Asp141, Glu143, Cys223, Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, andAla485 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence.

In one embodiment, a polymerase also includes (i) an amino acidsubstitution mutation at a position functionally equivalent to Tyr497;(ii) at least one amino acid substitution mutation at a positionfunctionally equivalent to Lys476, Lys477, Thr514, Ile521, or Thr590 inthe 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence, and (iii) at least oneamino acid substitution mutation at a position functionally equivalentto Arg247, Glu599, Lys620, His633, or Val661 in the 9° N DNA polymeraseamino acid sequence, and optionally further includes amino acidsubstitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent to aminoacids Met129, Asp141, Glu143, Cys223, Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, and Ala485in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence.

In one embodiment, a polymerase also includes (i) an amino acidsubstitution mutation at a position functionally equivalent to Tyr497;(ii) at least one amino acid substitution mutation at a positionfunctionally equivalent to Phe152, Val278, Met329, Val471, Leu631, orGlu734 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence, (iii) at leastone amino acid substitution mutation at a position functionallyequivalent to Lys476, Lys477, Thr514, Ile521, or Thr590 in the 9° N DNApolymerase amino acid sequence, and (iv) at least one amino acidsubstitution mutation at a position functionally equivalent to Arg247,Glu599, Lys620, His633, or Val661 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acidsequence, and optionally further includes amino acid substitutionmutations at positions functionally equivalent to amino acids Met129,Asp141, Glu143, Cys223, Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, and Ala485 in the 9° NDNA polymerase amino acid sequence.

Another example of a polymerase of the present disclosure includes anamino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to a 9°N DNApolymerase amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:8, and also includes (i) aminoacid substitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent toTyr497, Phe152, Val278, Met329, Val471, and Thr514 in the 9° N DNApolymerase amino acid sequence; (ii) amino acid substitution mutationsat positions functionally equivalent to Tyr497, Met329, Val471, andGlu734 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence; (iii) amino acidsubstitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent to Tyr497,Arg247, Glu599, and His633 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acidsequence; (iv) amino acid substitution mutations at positionsfunctionally equivalent to Tyr497, Arg247, Glu599, Lys620, and His633 inthe 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence; (v) amino acid substitutionmutations at positions functionally equivalent to Tyr497, Met 329,Thr514, Lys620, and Val661 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acidsequence; or (vi) amino acid substitution mutations at positionsfunctionally equivalent to Tyr497, Val278, Val471, Arg247, Glu599, andHis633 in the 9°N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence.

Also provided herein is a recombinant DNA polymerase that includes theamino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 10-34, a nucleic acidmolecule that encodes a polymerase described herein, an expressionvector that includes the nucleic acid molecule, and a host cell thatincludes the vector.

The present disclosure also includes methods. In one embodiment, amethod is for incorporating modified nucleotides into a growing DNAstrand. The method includes allowing the following components tointeract: (i) a polymerase described herein; (ii) a DNA template; and(iii) a nucleotide solution.

Also provided herein is a kit. In one embodiment, the kit is forperforming a nucleotide incorporation reaction. The kit can include, forinstance, a polymerase described herein and a nucleotide solution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic showing alignment of polymerase amino acidsequences from Thermococcus sp. 9° N-7 (9° N, SEQ ID NO:1), Thermococcuslitoralis (Vent, SEQ ID NO:2 and Deep Vent, SEQ ID NO:3), Thermococcuswaiotapuensis (Twa, SEQ ID NO:7), Thermococcus kodakaraenis (KOD, SEQ IDNO:5), Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu, SEQ ID NO:4), Pyrococcus abyssi (Pab,SEQ ID NO:6). An “*” (asterisk) indicates positions which have a single,fully conserved residue between all polymerases. A “:” (colon) indicatesconservation between groups of strongly similar properties asbelow—roughly equivalent to scoring >0.5 in the Gonnet PAM 250 matrix. A“.” (period) indicates conservation between groups of weakly similarproperties as below—roughly equivalent to scoring=<0.5 and >0 in theGonnet PAM 250 matrix.

FIG. 2 shows reduced phasing and cumulative error rates at shortincorporation times demonstrated by one of the altered polymerases ofthe present disclosure, Pol 1558 (SEQ ID NO:11), when compared to a Pol812 (SEQ ID NO:8) control (left panels). The two enzymes show comparablephasing and error rates at standard incorporation times (right panels).

FIG. 3A shows reduced R1 phasing and cumulative E. coli error rates atshort incorporation times demonstrated by selected altered polymerasesof the present disclosure, Pol 1558 (SEQ ID NO: 11), Pol 1671 (SEQ IDNO:23), Pol 1682 (SEQ ID NO:25), and Pol 1745 (SEQ ID NO:28), whencompared to Pol 812 (SEQ ID NO:8) and Pol 963 (SEQ ID NO:9) controls.The broken lines in the top and bottom panels indicate the cumulative E.coli error and R1 phasing rates demonstrated by Pol 812 at standardincorporation times. FIG. 3B compares the phasing and prephasing ratesof the same altered polymerases in reference to Pol 812 and Pol 963controls.

FIG. 4 compares cumulative PhiX errors rates of Pol 1550 (SEQ ID NO:10)and Pol 1558 (SEQ ID NO:11) with that of Pol 812 (SEQ ID NO:8) controlat standard and short incorporation times during long sequencing reads(2×250 cycles). Both mutants show notable reductions in error ratesfollowing the paired-end turn.

FIG. 5A shows a comparison between NovaSeq™ sequencing metrics of one ofthe altered polymerases of the present invention, Pol 1671 (SEQ IDNO:23), demonstrated at short incorporation times, and those of Pol 812(SEQ ID NO:8) control demonstrated at standard and short incorporationtimes. The top panels show the percentages of clusters passing filter(“Clusters PF”); the bottom panels show the cumulative PhiX error rates.The light open circles denote Pol 812 metrics at the standardincorporation times, whereas the dark open circles denote Pol 812metrics at the short incorporation times. All of the Pol 1671 metricsdenoted by the solid circles are at the short incorporation times. FIG.5B summarizes the cumulative PhiX error rates, Q30 values, and phasingrates shown by Pol 1671 in reference to Pol 812 control for NovaSeq™reads 1 and 2 at standard and short incorporation times. Significantimprovements in the quality of both reads were observed when Pol 1671was used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The term “and/or” means one or all of the listed elements or acombination of any two or more of the listed elements.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of theinvention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same orother circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or morepreferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are notuseful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scopeof the invention.

The terms “comprises” and variations thereof do not have a limitingmeaning where these terms appear in the description and claims.

It is understood that wherever embodiments are described herein with thelanguage “include,” “includes,” or “including,” and the like, otherwiseanalogous embodiments described in terms of “consisting of” and/or“consisting essentially of” are also provided.

Unless otherwise specified, “a,” “an,” “the,” and “at least one” areused interchangeably and mean one or more than one.

Conditions that are “suitable” for an event to occur or “suitable”conditions are conditions that do not prevent such events fromoccurring. Thus, these conditions permit, enhance, facilitate, and/orare conducive to the event.

As used herein, “providing” in the context of a composition, an article,a nucleic acid, or a nucleus means making the composition, article,nucleic acid, or nucleus, purchasing the composition, article, nucleicacid, or nucleus, or otherwise obtaining the compound, composition,article, or nucleus.

Also herein, the recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints includeall numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2,2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.).

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “certain embodiments,” or “some embodiments,” etc., meansthat a particular feature, configuration, composition, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment of the disclosure. Thus, the appearances of such phrases invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment of the disclosure. Furthermore, theparticular features, configurations, compositions, or characteristicsmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Maintaining or surpassing current levels of performance at fasterincorporation times can be aided by a new generation of polymerases.Presented herein are polymerase enzymes having significantly improvedperformance under sequencing by synthesis (SBS) fast cycle timeconditions. The inventors have surprisingly identified certain alteredpolymerases which exhibit improved characteristics including improvedaccuracy during short incorporations times. Improved accuracy includesreduced error rate and reduced phasing. The altered polymerases have anumber of other associated advantages, including reduced prephasing,reduced bypass rate, and improved quality metrics in SBS reactions. Thisimprovement is maintained even when a polymerase is used at lowerconcentrations. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the concentration of aDNA polymerase in an SBS reaction can be from 120 ng/μl to 80 ng/μl. Inone embodiment, the concentration of a DNA polymerase in a SBS reactioncan be no greater than 120 ng/μl, no greater than 110 ng/μl, no greaterthan 100 ng/μl, or no greater than 90 ng/μl. In one embodiment, theconcentration of a DNA polymerase in an SBS reaction can be at least 80ng/μl, at least 90 ng/μl, at least 100 ng/μl, or at least 110 ng/μl.

Error rate refers to a measurement of the frequency of error in theidentification of the correct base, i.e., the complement of the templatesequence at a specific position, during a sequencing reaction. Thefidelity with which a sequenced library matches the original genomesequence can vary depending on the frequency of base mutation occurringat any stage from the extraction of the nucleic acid to its sequencingon a sequencing platform. This frequency places an upper limit on theprobability of a sequenced base being correct. In some embodiments, thequality score is presented as a numerical value. For example, thequality score can be quoted as QXX where the XX is the score and itmeans that that particular call has a probability of error of10^(−XX/10). Thus, as an example, Q30 equates to an error rate of 1 in1000, or 0.1%, and Q40 equates to an error rate of 1 in 10,000, or0.01%.

Phasing and pre-phasing are terms known to those of skill in the art andare used to describe the loss of synchrony in the readout of thesequence copies of a cluster. Phasing and pre-phasing cause theextracted intensities for a specific cycle to include the signal of thecurrent cycle and noise from the preceding and following cycles. Thus,as used herein, the term “phasing” refers to a phenomenon in SBS that iscaused by incomplete incorporation of a nucleotide in some portion ofDNA strands within clusters by polymerases at a given sequencing cycle,and is thus a measure of the rate at which single molecules within acluster lose sync with each other. Phasing can be measured duringdetection of cluster signal at each cycle and can be reported as apercentage of detectable signal from a cluster that is out of synchronywith the signal in the cluster. As an example, a cluster is detected bya “green” fluorophore signal during cycle N. In the subsequent cycle(cycle N+1), 99.9% of the cluster signal is detected in the “red”channel and 0.1% of the signal remains from the previous cycle and isdetected in the “green” channel. This result would indicate that phasingis occurring, and can be reported as a numerical value, such as aphasing value of 0.1, indicating that 0.1% of the molecules in thecluster are falling behind at each cycle.

The term “pre-phasing” as used herein refers to a phenomenon in SBS thatis caused by the incorporation of nucleotides without effective 3′terminators, causing the incorporation event to go one cycle ahead. Asthe number of cycles increases, the fraction of sequences per clusteraffected by phasing increases, hampering the identification of thecorrect base. Pre-phasing can be detected by a sequencing instrument andreported as a numerical value, such as a pre-phasing value of 0.1,indicating that 0.1% of the molecules in the cluster are running aheadat each cycle.

Detection of phasing and pre-phasing can be performed and reportedaccording to any suitable methodology as is known in the art, forexample, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,965,076. For example, asdescribed in the Examples below, phasing is detected and reportedroutinely during SBS sequencing runs on sequencing instrument such asHiSeq™, Genome Analyzer™, NextSeq™, NovaSeq™, iSeq™, MiniSeq™, or MiSeq™sequencing platforms from Illumina, Inc. (San Diego, Calif.) or anyother suitable instrument known in the art.

Reduced cycle times can increase the occurrence of phasing, pre-phasing,and/or bypass rate, each of which contributes to error rate. Thediscovery of altered polymerases which decrease the incidence ofphasing, pre-phasing, and/or bypass rate, even when used in fast cycletime conditions, is surprising and provides a great advantage in SBSapplications. For example, the altered polymerases can provide fasterSBS cycle time, lower phasing and pre-phasing values, and/or longersequencing read length. The characterization of error rate and phasingfor altered polymerases as provided herein is set forth in the Examplesection below.

Polymerases

Provided herein are polymerases, compositions including a polymerase,and methods of using a polymerase. A polymerase described herein is aDNA polymerase. In one embodiment, a polymerase of the presentdisclosure, also referred to herein as an “altered polymerase,” is basedon the amino acid sequence of a reference polymerase. An alteredpolymerase includes substitution mutations at one or more residues whencompared to the reference polymerase. A substitution mutation can be atthe same position or a functionally equivalent position compared to thereference polymerase. Reference polymerases and functionally equivalentpositions are described in detail herein. The skilled person willreadily appreciate that an altered polymerase described herein is notnaturally occurring.

A reference polymerase described herein has error rates that are usefulis SBS reactions; however, using a reference polymerase in SBS reactionswith shorter incorporation times increases the error rate. An alteredpolymerase described herein maintains the superior error rates observedwith reference polymerases even when the altered polymerase is used inSBS reactions with shorter incorporation times. In one embodiment,reduced error rates occur when the altered polymerase is tested usingfast incorporation times. Incorporation refers to the amount of time aDNA polymerase is in contact with a template. As used herein, a slowincorporation time is the incorporation time used under a standard cycleusing a MiniSeq™ benchtop sequencing system. Slow incorporation timesinclude from 40 seconds to 50 seconds. As used herein, a fast cycle timerefers to an incorporation step that is from 10 seconds to 40 seconds.In one embodiment, a fast cycle time is an incorporation time of nogreater than 40 seconds, no greater than 30 seconds, no greater than 20seconds, no greater than 18 seconds, no greater than 16 seconds, nogreater than 14 seconds, or no greater than 12 seconds. In oneembodiment, a fast cycle time is an incorporation time of at least 10seconds, at least 12 seconds, at least 14 seconds, at least 16 seconds,at least 18 seconds, at least 20 seconds, or at least 30 seconds. In oneembodiment, a fast cycle time is an incorporation time of less than 40seconds, less than 30 seconds, less than 20 seconds, less than 18seconds, less than 16 seconds, less than 14 seconds, less than 12seconds, or less than 10 seconds.

An altered polymerase described herein can be used in SBS reactions forruns of different lengths. A “run” refers to the number of nucleotidesthat are identified on a template. A run typically includes a run basedon the first primer (e.g., a read1 primer) which reads one strand of atemplate and a run based on the second primer (e.g., a read2 primer)which reads the complementary strand of the template. In one embodiment,the number of nucleotides identified using the first primer or thesecond primer can be from 10 to 150 nucleotides. In one embodiment, thenumber of nucleotides identified using the first primer or the secondprimer can be no greater than 150 nucleotides, no greater than 130nucleotides, no greater than 110 nucleotides, no greater than 90nucleotides, no greater than 70 nucleotides, no greater than 50nucleotides, no greater than 30 nucleotides, or no greater than 20nucleotides. In one embodiment, the number of nucleotides identifiedusing the first primer or the second primer can be at least 10, at least20, at least 30, at least 50, at least 70, at least 90, at least 110, orat least 130 nucleotides.

In certain embodiments, an altered polymerase is based on a family Btype DNA polymerase. An altered polymerase can be based on, for example,a family B archaeal DNA polymerase, a human DNA polymerase-α, or a phagepolymerase.

Family B archaeal DNA polymerases are well known in the art asexemplified by the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 8,283,149. In certainembodiments, an archaeal DNA polymerase is from a hyperthermophilicarchaeon and is thermostable.

In certain embodiments, a family B archaeal DNA polymerase is from agenus such as, for example, Thermococcus, Pyrococcus, or Methanococcus.Members of the genus Thermococcus are well known in the art and include,but are not limited to T. 4557, T. barophilus, T. gammatolerans, T.onnurineus, T. sibiricus, T. kodakarensis, T. gorgonarius, and T.waiotapuensis. Members of the genus Pyrococcus are well known in the artand include, but are not limited to P. NA2, P. abyssi, P. furiosus, P.horikoshii, P. yayanosii, P. endeavori, P. glycovorans, and P. woesei.Members of the genus Methanococcus are well known in the art andinclude, but are not limited to M. aeolicus, M. maripaludis, M.vannielii, M. voltae, M. thermolithotrophicus, and M. jannaschii.

In one embodiment an altered polymerase is based on Vent®, Deep Vent®,9°N, Pfu, KOD, or a Pab polymerase. Vent® and Deep Vent® are commercialnames used for family B DNA polymerases isolated from thehyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus litoralis. 9°N polymerase is afamily B polymerase isolated from Thermococcus sp. Pfu polymerase is afamily B polymerase isolated from Pyrococcus furiosus. KOD polymerase isa family B polymerase isolated from Thermococcus kodakaraenis. Pabpolymerase is a family B polymerase isolated from Pyrococcus abyssi. Twais a family B polymerase isolated from T. waiotapuensis. Examples ofVent®, Deep Vent®, 9°N, Pfu, KOD, Pab, and Twa polymerases are disclosedin FIG. 1.

In certain embodiments, a family B archaeal DNA polymerase is from aphage such as, for example, T4, RB69, or phi29 phage.

FIG. 1 shows a sequence alignment for proteins having the amino acidsequences shown in SEQ ID NOs:1-7. The alignment indicates amino acidsthat are conserved in the different family B polymerases. The skilledperson will appreciate that the conserved amino acids and conservedregions are most likely conserved because they are important to thefunction of the polymerases, and therefore show a correlation betweenstructure and function of the polymerases. The alignment also showsregions of variability across the different family B polymerases. Aperson of ordinary skill in the art can deduce from such data regions ofa polymerase in which substitutions, particularly conservativesubstitutions, may be permitted without unduly affecting biologicalactivity of the altered polymerase.

An altered polymerase described herein is based on the amino acidsequence of a known polymerase (also referred to herein as a referencepolymerase) and further includes substitution mutations at one or moreresidues. In one embodiment, a substitution mutation is at a positionfunctionally equivalent to an amino acid of a reference polymerase. By“functionally equivalent” it is meant that the altered polymerase hasthe amino acid substitution at the amino acid position in the referencepolymerase that has the same functional role in both the referencepolymerase and the altered polymerase.

In general, functionally equivalent substitution mutations in two ormore different polymerases occur at homologous amino acid positions inthe amino acid sequences of the polymerases. Hence, use herein of theterm “functionally equivalent” also encompasses mutations that are“positionally equivalent” or “homologous” to a given mutation,regardless of whether or not the particular function of the mutatedamino acid is known. It is possible to identify the locations offunctionally equivalent and positionally equivalent amino acid residuesin the amino acid sequences of two or more different polymerases on thebasis of sequence alignment and/or molecular modelling. An example ofsequence alignment to identify positionally equivalent and/orfunctionally equivalent residues is set forth in FIG. 1. For example,the residues in the Twa, KOD, Pab, Pfu, Deep Vent, and Vent polymerasesof FIG. 1 that are vertically aligned are considered positionallyequivalent as well as functionally equivalent to the correspondingresidue in the 9°N polymerase amino acid sequence. Thus, for exampleresidue 349 of the 9° N, Twa, KOD, Pfu, Deep Vent, and Pab polymerasesand residue 351 of the Vent polymerase are functionally equivalent andpositionally equivalent. Likewise, for example residue 633 of the 9° N,Twa, KOD, and Pab polymerases, residue 634 of the Pfu and Deep Ventpolymerases, and residue 636 of the Vent polymerase are functionallyequivalent and positionally equivalent. The skilled person can easilyidentify functionally equivalent residues in DNA polymerases.

In certain embodiments, the substitution mutation comprises a mutationto a residue having a non-polar side chain. Amino acids having non-polarside chains are well-known in the art and include, for example: alanine,glycine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline,tryptophan, and valine.

In certain embodiments, the substitution mutation comprises a mutationto a residue having a polar side chain. Amino acids having polar sidechains are well-known in the art and include, for example: arginine,asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, glutamic acid, histidine, lysine,serine, cysteine, tyrosine, and threonine.

In certain embodiments, the substitution mutation comprises a mutationto a residue having a hydrophobic side chain. Amino acids havinghydrophobic side chains are well-known in the art and include, forexample: glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline,phenylalanine, methionine, and tryptophan.

In certain embodiments, the substitution mutation comprises a mutationto a residue having an uncharged side chain. Amino acids havinguncharged side chains are well-known in the art and include, forexample: glycine, serine, cysteine, asparagine, glutamine, tyrosine, andthreonine, among others.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase has an amino acid sequence thatis structurally similar to a reference polymerase disclosed herein. Inone embodiment, a reference polymerase is one that includes the aminoacid sequence of 9° N (SEQ ID NO: 1). Optionally, the referencepolymerase is SEQ ID NO: 1 with the following substitution mutations:Met129Ala, Asp 141Ala, Glu 143Ala, Cys223 Ser, Leu408Ala, Tyr409Ala,Pro410Ile, and Ala485Val. A polymerase having the amino acid sequence of9° N (SEQ ID NO: 1) with substitution mutations Met129Ala, Asp141Ala,Glu143Ala, Cys223Ser, Leu408Ala, Tyr409Ala, Pro410Ile, and Ala485Val isdisclosed at SEQ ID NO:8, and is also referred to herein as the Pol812polymerase. Other reference sequences include SEQ ID NO:2, 3, 4, 5, 6,or 7. Optionally, a reference polymerase is SEQ ID NO: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or7 with substitution mutations functionally and positionally equivalentto the following substitution mutations in SEQ ID NO:1: Met129Ala,Asp141Ala, Glu143Ala, Cys223Ser, Leu408Ala, Tyr409Ala, Pro410Ile, andAla485Val.

As used herein, an altered polymerase may be “structurally similar” to areference polymerase if the amino acid sequence of the alteredpolymerase possesses a specified amount of sequence similarity and/orsequence identity compared to the reference polymerase.

Structural similarity of two amino acid sequences can be determined byaligning the residues of the two sequences (for example, a candidatepolymerase and a reference polymerase described herein) to optimize thenumber of identical amino acids along the lengths of their sequences;gaps in either or both sequences are permitted in making the alignmentin order to optimize the number of identical amino acids, although theamino acids in each sequence must nonetheless remain in their properorder. A candidate polymerase is the polymerase being compared to thereference polymerase. A candidate polymerase that has structuralsimilarity with a reference polymerase and polymerase activity is analtered polymerase.

Unless modified as otherwise described herein, a pair-wise comparisonanalysis of amino acid sequences or nucleotide sequences can beconducted, for instance, by the local homology algorithm of Smith &Waterman, Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482 (1981), by the homology alignmentalgorithm of Needleman & Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol. 48:443 (1970), by thesearch for similarity method of Pearson & Lipman, Proc. Nat'l. Acad.Sci. USA 85:2444 (1988), by computerized implementations of thesealgorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin GeneticsSoftware Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison,Wis.), or by visual inspection (see generally Current Protocols inMolecular Biology, Ausubel et al., eds., Current Protocols, a jointventure between Greene Publishing Associates, Inc. and John Wiley &Sons, Inc., supplemented through 2004).

One example of an algorithm that is suitable for determining structuralsimilarity is the BLAST algorithm, which is described in Altschul etal., J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 (1990). Software for performing BLASTanalyses is publicly available through the National Center forBiotechnology Information. This algorithm involves first identifyinghigh scoring sequence pairs (HSPs) by identifying short words of lengthW in the query sequence, which either match or satisfy somepositive-valued threshold score T when aligned with a word of the samelength in a database sequence. T is referred to as the neighborhood wordscore threshold (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 (1990)).These initial neighborhood word hits act as seeds for initiatingsearches to find longer HSPs containing them. The word hits are thenextended in both directions along each sequence for as far as thecumulative alignment score can be increased. Cumulative scores arecalculated using, for nucleotide sequences, the parameters M (rewardscore for a pair of matching residues; always >0) and N (penalty scorefor mismatching residues; always <0). For amino acid sequences, ascoring matrix is used to calculate the cumulative score. Extension ofthe word hits in each direction are halted when: the cumulativealignment score falls off by the quantity X from its maximum achievedvalue; the cumulative score goes to zero or below, due to theaccumulation of one or more negative-scoring residue alignments; or theend of either sequence is reached. The BLAST algorithm parameters W, T,and X determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment. The BLASTNprogram (for nucleotide sequences) uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of11, an expectation (E) of 10, a cutoff of 100, M=5, N=−4, and acomparison of both strands. For amino acid sequences, the BLASTP programuses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 3, an expectation (E) of 10, andthe BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (see Henikoff & Henikoff (1989) Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915).

In addition to calculating percent sequence identity, the BLASTalgorithm also performs a statistical analysis of the similarity betweentwo sequences (see, e.g., Karlin & Altschul, Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA90:5873-5787 (1993)). One measure of similarity provided by the BLASTalgorithm is the smallest sum probability (P(N)), which provides anindication of the probability by which a match between two nucleotide oramino acid sequences would occur by chance. For example, a nucleic acidis considered similar to a reference sequence if the smallest sumprobability in a comparison of the test nucleic acid to the referencenucleic acid is less than about 0.1, more preferably less than about0.01, and most preferably less than about 0.001.

In the comparison of two amino acid sequences, structural similarity maybe referred to by percent “identity” or may be referred to by percent“similarity.” “Identity” refers to the presence of identical aminoacids. “Similarity” refers to the presence of not only identical aminoacids but also the presence of conservative substitutions. Aconservative substitution for an amino acid in a protein may be selectedfrom other members of the class to which the amino acid belongs. Forexample, it is well-known in the art of protein biochemistry that anamino acid belonging to a grouping of amino acids having a particularsize or characteristic (such as charge, hydrophobicity, orhydrophilicity) can be substituted for another amino acid withoutaltering the activity of a protein, particularly in regions of theprotein that are not directly associated with biological activity. Forexample, non-polar amino acids include alanine, glycine, isoleucine,leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, tryptophan, and valine.Hydrophobic amino acids include glycine, alanine, valine, leucine,isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, and tryptophan. Polaramino acids include arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine,glutamic acid, histidine, lysine, serine, cysteine, tyrosine, andthreonine. The uncharged amino acids include glycine, serine, cysteine,asparagine, glutamine, tyrosine, and threonine, among others.

Thus, as used herein, reference to a polymerase as described herein,such as reference to the amino acid sequence of one or more SEQ ID NOsdescribed herein can include a protein with at least 80%, at least 85%,at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, atleast 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, atleast 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% amino acidsequence similarity to the reference polymerase.

Alternatively, as used herein, reference to a polymerase as describedherein, such as reference to the amino acid sequence of one or more SEQID NOs described herein can include a protein with at least 80%, atleast 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, atleast 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, atleast 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%amino acid sequence identity to the reference polymerase.

The present disclosure describes a collection of mutations that resultin a polymerase having one or more of the activities described herein. Apolymerase described herein can include any number of mutations, e.g.,at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6,at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, at least12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, orat least 18 mutations compared to a reference polymerase, such as SEQ IDNO: 1 or SEQ ID NO:8. Likewise, a polymerase described herein caninclude the mutations in any combination. For example, Table 1 sets outexamples of specific altered polymerases that include differentcombinations of mutations described herein. A check mark (✓) indicatesthe presence of the listed mutation. The listed mutations, e.g., Y497G,F152G, V278L, etc., are mutations at positions on SEQ ID NO:1.

TABLE 1 Examples of altered polymerases. Mutations Pol Y497 F152 V278M329 V471 T514 L631 E734 K476 K477 T514 I521 T590 R247 E599 K620 H633V661 (SEQ ID NO:) G G L H S A M R W M S L I Y D R G D  812 (8)  963 (9)✓ ✓ ✓ 1550 (10) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1558 (11) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1563 (12) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1565(13) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1630 (14) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1634 (15) ✓ ✓ ✓ 1641 (16) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1573(17) ✓ ✓ ✓ 1576 (18) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1584 (19) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1586 (20) ✓ ✓ 1601 (21)✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1611 (22) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1671 (23) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1677 (24) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1682 (25)✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1700 (26) ✓ ✓ ✓ 1680 (27) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1745 (28) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1758(29) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1761 (30) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1762 (31) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1765 (32)✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1769 (33) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1770 (34) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

An altered polymerase of the present disclosure includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Tyr497 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to Tyr497 is a mutation to anon-polar, hydrophobic, or uncharged amino acid, for example Gly.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Phe152 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO:1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to Phe152 is a mutation to anon-polar, hydrophobic, or uncharged amino acid, for example Gly.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Val278 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to Val278 is a mutation to anon-polar or hydrophobic amino acid, for example Leu.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Met329 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to Met329 is a mutation to a polaramino acid, for example His.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Val471 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to Val471 is a mutation to a polaror uncharged amino acid, for example Ser.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Thr514 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1) as is known in the art and exemplified by U.S.Patent Application No. 2016/0032377. In one embodiment, the substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Thr514 is a mutationto a non-polar or hydrophobic amino acid, for example Ala. In someembodiments, other substitution mutations that can be used incombination with a non-polar or hydrophobic amino acid at a positionfunctionally equivalent to Thr514 include Phe152, Val278, M329, Val471,Lue631, Glu734, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, thesubstitution mutation at a position functionally equivalent to Thr514 isa mutation to a polar or uncharged amino acid, for example Ser. In someembodiments, other substitution mutations that can be used incombination with a polar or uncharged amino acid at a positionfunctionally equivalent to Thr514 include Lys476, Lys477, Ile521,Thr590, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Leu631 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to Leu631 is a mutation to anon-polar or hydrophobic amino acid, for example Met.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Glu734 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to Glu734 is a mutation to a polaror uncharged amino acid, for example Arg.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Lys476 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to Lys476 is a mutation to anon-polar of hydrophobic amino acid, for example Trp.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Lys477 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1), as is known in the art and exemplified by thedisclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 9,765,309. In one embodiment, thesubstitution mutation at a position functionally equivalent to Lys477 isa mutation to a non-polar or hydrophobic amino acid, for example Met.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Ile521 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1) as is known in the art and exemplified by U.S.Patent Application No. 2016/0032377. In one embodiment, the substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Ile521 is a mutationto a non-polar amino acid, for example Leu.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Thr590 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to Thr590 is a mutation to anon-polar or hydrophobic amino acid, for example Ile.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Arg247 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO:1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to Arg247 is a mutation to anon-polar or uncharged amino acid, for example Tyr.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Glu599 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to Glu599 is a mutation to a polaror uncharged amino acid, for example Asp.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Lys620 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to Lys620 is a mutation to a polaror uncharged amino acid, for example Arg.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to His633 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to His633 is a mutation to anon-polar, hydrophobic, or uncharged amino acid, for example Gly.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Val661 in a 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1). In one embodiment, the substitution mutationat a position functionally equivalent to Val661 is a mutation to a polaror uncharged amino acid, for example Asp.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes at least onesubstitution mutation at a position functionally equivalent to aminoacids Met129, Asp141, Glu143, Cys223, Lys408, Tyr409, Pro410, Ala485, ora combination thereof. In one embodiment, the substitution mutation at aposition functionally equivalent to Met129, Asp141, Glu143, Lys408, orTyr409 is a mutation to a non-polar or hydrophobic amino acid, forexample Ala. In one embodiment, the substitution mutation at a positionfunctionally equivalent to Cys223 is a mutation to a polar or unchargedamino acid, for example Ser. In one embodiment, the substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Pro410 is a mutationto a non-polar or hydrophobic amino acid, for example Ile. In oneembodiment, the substitution mutation at a position functionallyequivalent to Ala485 is a mutation to a non-polar or hydrophobic aminoacid, for example Val.

In one embodiment, as altered polymerase includes an amino acidsubstitution mutation at a position functionally equivalent to Tyr497and at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at leastfive, at least six, or seven amino acid substitution mutations atpositions functionally equivalent to an amino acid selected from Phe152,Val278, Met329, Val471, Thr514, Leu631, and Glu734 in the 9°N DNApolymerase amino acid sequence. In one embodiment, the alteredpolymerase also includes amino acid substitution mutations at positionsfunctionally equivalent to amino acids Met129, Asp141, Glu143, Cys223,Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, and Ala485 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acidsequence.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes an amino acidsubstitution mutation at position functionally equivalent to Tyr497 andat least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, or five aminoacid substitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent to anamino acid selected from Lys476, Lys477, Thr514, Ile521, and Thr590 inthe 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence. In one embodiment, thealtered polymerase also includes amino acid substitution mutations atpositions functionally equivalent to amino acids Met129, Asp141, Glu143,Cys223, Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, and Ala485 in the 9° N DNA polymeraseamino acid sequence.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes an amino acidsubstitution mutation at position functionally equivalent to Tyr497 andat least two, at least three, at least four, or five amino acidsubstitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent to an aminoacid selected from Arg247, Glu599, Lys620, His633, and Val661 in the 9°N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence. In one embodiment, the alteredpolymerase also includes amino acid substitution mutations at positionsfunctionally equivalent to amino acids Met129, Asp141, Glu143, Cys223,Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, and Ala485 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acidsequence.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes an amino acidsubstitution mutation at position functionally equivalent to Tyr497, atleast one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five,at least six, or seven amino acid substitution mutations at a positionfunctionally equivalent to Phe152, Val278, Met329, Val471, Thr514,Leu631, or Glu734 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence, and(iii) at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, or fiveamino acid substitution mutations at a position functionally equivalentto Lys476, Lys477, Thr514, Ile521, or Thr590 in the 9° N DNA polymeraseamino acid sequence. In one embodiment, the altered polymerase alsoincludes amino acid substitution mutations at positions functionallyequivalent to amino acids Met129, Asp141, Glu143, Cys223, Leu408,Tyr409, Pro410, and Ala485 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acidsequence.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes an amino acidsubstitution mutation at position functionally equivalent to Tyr497, atleast one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five,at least six, or seven amino acid substitution mutations at positionsfunctionally equivalent to an amino acid selected from Phe152, Val278,Met329, Val471, Thr514, Leu631, and Glu734 in the 9° N DNA polymeraseamino acid sequence, and at least one, at least two, at least three, atleast four, or five amino acid substitution mutations at positionsfunctionally equivalent to an amino acid selected from Arg247, Glu599,Lys620, His633, or Val661 in the 9°N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence.In one embodiment, the altered polymerase also includes amino acidsubstitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent to aminoacids Met129, Asp141, Glu143, Cys223, Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, and Ala485in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes an amino acidsubstitution mutation at position functionally equivalent to Tyr497, atleast one, least two, at least three, at least four, or five amino acidsubstitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent to an aminoacid selected from Lys476, Lys477, Thr514, Ile521, or Thr590 in the 9° NDNA polymerase amino acid sequence, and at least one, at least two, atleast three, at least four, or five amino acid substitution mutations atpositions functionally equivalent to an amino acid selected from Arg247,Glu599, Lys620, His633, or Val661 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acidsequence. In one embodiment, the altered polymerase also includes aminoacid substitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent toamino acids Met129, Asp141, Glu143, Cys223, Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, andAla485 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes an amino acidsubstitution mutation at a position functionally equivalent to Tyr497,at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at leastfive, or six amino acid substitution mutations at positions functionallyequivalent to an amino acid selected from Phe152, Val278, Met329,Val471, Leu631, and Glu734 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acidsequence, at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, orfive amino acid substitution mutations at positions functionallyequivalent to an amino acid selected from Lys476, Lys477, Thr514,Ile521, or Thr590, in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence, andat least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, or five aminoacid substitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent to anamino acid selected from Arg247, Glu599, Lys620, His633, or Val661 inthe 9°N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence. In one embodiment, thealtered polymerase also includes amino acid substitution mutations atpositions functionally equivalent to amino acids Met129, Asp141, Glu143,Cys223, Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, and Ala485 in the 9° N DNA polymeraseamino acid sequence.

Specific examples of altered polymerases include Pol 1550 (SEQ ID NO:10), Pol 1558 (SEQ ID NO: 11), Pol 1563 (SEQ ID NO:12), Pol 1565 (SEQ IDNO:13), Pol 1630 (SEQ ID NO:14), Pol 1634 (SEQ ID NO:15), Pol 1641 (SEQID NO:16), Pol 1573 (SEQ ID NO:17), Pol 1576 (SEQ ID NO:18), Pol 1584(SEQ ID NO:19), Pol 1586 (SEQ ID NO:20), Pol 1601 (SEQ ID NO:21), Pol1611 (SEQ ID NO:22), Pol 1671 (SEQ ID NO:23), Pol 1677 (SEQ ID NO:24),Pol 1682 (SEQ ID NO:25), Pol 1680 (SEQ ID NO:27), Pol 1745 (SEQ IDNO:28), Pol 1758 (SEQ ID NO:29), Pol 1761 (SEQ ID NO:30), Pol 1762 (SEQID NO:31), Pol 1765 (SEQ ID NO:32), Pol 1769 (SEQ ID NO:33), and Pol1770 (SEQ ID NO:34).

An altered polymerase described herein can include additional mutationsthat are known to affect polymerase activity. On such substitutionmutation is at a position functionally equivalent to Arg713 in the 9° Npolymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1). Any of a variety of substitution mutations atone or more of positions known to result in reduced exonuclease activitycan be made, as is known in the art and exemplified by U.S. Pat. No.8,623,628. In one embodiment, the substitution mutation at positionArg713 is a mutation to a non-polar, hydrophobic, or uncharged aminoacid, for example Gly, Met, or Ala.

In one embodiment, an altered polymerase includes a substitutionmutation at a position functionally equivalent to Arg743 or Lys705, or acombination thereof, in the 9° N polymerase (SEQ ID NO: 1), as is knownin the art and exemplified by the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 8,623,628.In one embodiment, the substitution mutation at position Arg743 orLys705 is a mutation to a non-polar or hydrophobic amino acid, forexample Ala.

The present disclosure also provides compositions that include analtered polymerase described herein. The composition can include othercomponents in addition to the altered polymerase. For example, thecomposition can include a buffer, a nucleotide solution, or acombination thereof. The nucleotide solution can include nucleotides,such as nucleotides that are labelled, synthetic, modified, or acombination thereof. In one embodiment, a composition includes targetnucleic acids, such as a library of target nucleic acids.

Mutating Polymerases

Various types of mutagenesis are optionally used in the presentdisclosure, e.g., to modify polymerases to produce variants, e.g., inaccordance with polymerase models and model predictions as discussedabove, or using random or semi-random mutational approaches. In general,any available mutagenesis procedure can be used for making polymerasemutants. Such mutagenesis procedures optionally include selection ofmutant nucleic acids and polypeptides for one or more activity ofinterest (e.g., reduced pyrophosphorolysis, increased turnover e.g., fora given nucleotide analog). Procedures that can be used include, but arenot limited to: site-directed point mutagenesis, random pointmutagenesis, in vitro or in vivo homologous recombination (DNA shufflingand combinatorial overlap PCR), mutagenesis using uracil containingtemplates, oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis,phosphorothioate-modified DNA mutagenesis, mutagenesis using gappedduplex DNA, point mismatch repair, mutagenesis using repair-deficienthost strains, restriction-selection and restriction-purification,deletion mutagenesis, mutagenesis by total gene synthesis, degeneratePCR, double-strand break repair, and many others known to persons ofskill. The starting polymerase for mutation can be any of those notedherein, including available polymerase mutants such as those identifiede.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,460,910 and 8,623,628, each of which isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Optionally, mutagenesis can be guided by known information from anaturally occurring polymerase molecule, or of a known altered ormutated polymerase (e.g., using an existing mutant polymerase), e.g.,sequence, sequence comparisons, physical properties, crystal structureand/or the like as discussed above. However, in another class ofembodiments, modification can be essentially random (e.g., as inclassical or “family” DNA shuffling, see, e.g., Crameri et al. (1998)“DNA shuffling of a family of genes from diverse species acceleratesdirected evolution” Nature 391:288-291).

Additional information on mutation formats is found in: Sambrook et al.,Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual (3rd Ed.), Vol. 1-3, Cold SpringHarbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 2000 (“Sambrook”); CurrentProtocols in Molecular Biology, F. M. Ausubel et al., eds., CurrentProtocols, a joint venture between Greene Publishing Associates, Inc.and John Wiley & Sons, Inc., (supplemented through 2011) (“Ausubel”))and PCR Protocols A Guide to Methods and Applications (Innis et al. eds)Academic Press Inc. San Diego, Calif. (1990) (“Innis”). The followingpublications and references cited within provide additional detail onmutation formats: Arnold, Protein engineering for unusual environments,Current Opinion in Biotechnology 4:450-455 (1993); Bass et al., MutantTrp repressors with new DNA-binding specificities, Science 242:240-245(1988); Bordo and Argos (1991) Suggestions for “Safe” ResidueSubstitutions in Site-directed Mutagenesis 217:721-729; Botstein &Shortle, Strategies and applications of in vitro mutagenesis, Science229:1193-1201 (1985); Carter et al., Improved oligonucleotidesite-directed mutagenesis using M13 vectors, Nucl. Acids Res. 13:4431-4443 (1985); Carter, Site-directed mutagenesis, Biochem. J. 237:1-7(1986); Carter, Improved oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis using M13vectors, Methods in Enzymol. 154: 382-403 (1987); Dale et al.,Oligonucleotide-directed random mutagenesis using the phosphorothioatemethod, Methods Mol. Biol. 57:369-374 (1996); Eghtedarzadeh & Henikoff,Use of oligonucleotides to generate large deletions, Nucl. Acids Res.14: 5115 (1986); Fritz et al., Oligonucleotide-directed construction ofmutations: a gapped duplex DNA procedure without enzymatic reactions invitro, Nucl. Acids Res. 16: 6987-6999 (1988); Grundstrom et al.,Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis by microscale ‘ shot-gun’ genesynthesis, Nucl. Acids Res. 13: 3305-3316 (1985); Hayes (2002) CombiningComputational and Experimental Screening for rapid Optimization ofProtein Properties PNAS 99(25) 15926-15931; Kunkel, The efficiency ofoligonucleotide directed mutagenesis, in Nucleic Acids & MolecularBiology (Eckstein, F. and Lilley, D. M. J. eds., Springer Verlag,Berlin)) (1987); Kunkel, Rapid and efficient site-specific mutagenesiswithout phenotypic selection, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:488-492(1985); Kunkel et al., Rapid and efficient site-specific mutagenesiswithout phenotypic selection, Methods in Enzymol. 154, 367-382 (1987);Kramer et al., The gapped duplex DNA approach tooligonucleotide-directed mutation construction, Nucl. Acids Res. 12:9441-9456 (1984); Kramer & Fritz Oligonucleotide-directed constructionof mutations via gapped duplex DNA, Methods in Enzymol. 154:350-367(1987); Kramer et al., Point Mismatch Repair, Cell 38:879-887 (1984);Kramer et al., Improved enzymatic in vitro reactions in the gappedduplex DNA approach to oligonucleotide-directed construction ofmutations, Nucl. Acids Res. 16: 7207 (1988); Ling et al., Approaches toDNA mutagenesis: an overview, Anal Biochem. 254(2): 157-178 (1997);Lorimer and Pastan Nucleic Acids Res. 23, 3067-8 (1995); Mandecki,Oligonucleotide-directed double-strand break repair in plasmids ofEscherichia coli: a method for site-specific mutagenesis, Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA, 83:7177-7181(1986); Nakamaye & Eckstein, Inhibition ofrestriction endonuclease Nci I cleavage by phosphorothioate groups andits application to oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, Nucl. AcidsRes. 14: 9679-9698 (1986); Nambiar et al., Total synthesis and cloningof a gene coding for the ribonuclease S protein, Science 223:1299-1301(1984); Sakamar and Khorana, Total synthesis and expression ofa gene for the a-subunit of bovine rod outer segment guaninenucleotide-binding protein (transducin), Nucl. Acids Res. 14: 6361-6372(1988); Sayers et al., Y-T Exonucleases in phosphorothioate-basedoligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, Nucl. Acids Res. 16:791-802(1988); Sayers et al., Strand specific cleavage ofphosphorothioate-containing DNA by reaction with restrictionendonucleases in the presence of ethidium bromide, (1988) Nucl. AcidsRes. 16: 803-814; Sieber, et al., Nature Biotechnology, 19:456-460(2001); Smith, In vitro mutagenesis, Ann. Rev. Genet. 19:423-462 (1985);Methods in Enzymol. 100: 468-500 (1983); Methods in Enzymol. 154:329-350 (1987); Stemmer, Nature 370, 389-91(1994); Taylor et al., Theuse of phosphorothioate-modified DNA in restriction enzyme reactions toprepare nicked DNA, Nucl. Acids Res. 13: 8749-8764 (1985); Taylor etal., The rapid generation of oligonucleotide-directed mutations at highfrequency using phosphorothioate-modified DNA, Nucl. Acids Res. 13:8765-8787 (1985); Wells et al., Importance of hydrogen-bond formation instabilizing the transition state of subtilisin, Phil. Trans. R. Soc.Lond. A 317: 415-423 (1986); Wells et al., Cassette mutagenesis: anefficient method for generation of multiple mutations at defined sites,Gene 34:315-323 (1985); Zoller & Smith, Oligonucleotide-directedmutagenesis using M 13-derived vectors: an efficient and generalprocedure for the production of point mutations in any DNA fragment,Nucleic Acids Res. 10:6487-6500 (1982); Zoller & Smith,Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis of DNA fragments cloned into M13vectors, Methods in Enzymol. 100:468-500 (1983); Zoller & Smith,Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis: a simple method using twooligonucleotide primers and a single-stranded DNA template, Methods inEnzymol. 154:329-350 (1987); Clackson et al. (1991) “Making antibodyfragments using phage display libraries” Nature 352:624-628; Gibbs etal. (2001) “Degenerate oligonucleotide gene shuffling (DOGS): a methodfor enhancing the frequency of recombination with family shuffling” Gene271:13-20; and Hiraga and Arnold (2003) “General method forsequence-independent site-directed chimeragenesis: J. Mol. Biol.330:287-296. Additional details on many of the above methods can befound in Methods in Enzymology Volume 154, which also describes usefulcontrols for trouble-shooting problems with various mutagenesis methods.

Making and Isolating Recombinant Polymerases

Generally, nucleic acids encoding a polymerase as presented herein canbe made by cloning, recombination, in vitro synthesis, in vitroamplification and/or other available methods. A variety of recombinantmethods can be used for expressing an expression vector that encodes apolymerase as presented herein. Methods for making recombinant nucleicacids, expression and isolation of expressed products are well known anddescribed in the art. A number of exemplary mutations and combinationsof mutations, as well as strategies for design of desirable mutations,are described herein. Methods for making and selecting mutations in theactive site of polymerases, including for modifying steric features inor near the active site to permit improved access by nucleotide analogsare found herein and, e.g., in WO 2007/076057 and WO 2008/051530.

Additional useful references for mutation, recombinant and in vitronucleic acid manipulation methods (including cloning, expression, PCR,and the like) include Berger and Kimmel, Guide to Molecular CloningTechniques, Methods in Enzymology volume 152 Academic Press, Inc., SanDiego, Calif. (Berger); Kaufman et al. (2003) Handbook of Molecular andCellular Methods in Biology and Medicine Second Edition Ceske (ed) CRCPress (Kaufman); The Nucleic Acid Protocols Handbook Ralph Rapley (ed)(2000) Cold Spring Harbor, Humana Press Inc (Rapley); Chen et al. (ed)PCR Cloning Protocols, Second Edition (Methods in Molecular Biology,volume 192) Humana Press; and in Viljoen et al. (2005) MolecularDiagnostic PCR Handbook Springer, ISBN 1402034032.

In addition, a plethora of kits are commercially available for thepurification of plasmids or other relevant nucleic acids from cells,(see, e.g., EasyPrep™ and FlexiPrep™, both from Pharmacia Biotech;StrataClean™, from Stratagene; and QIAprep™ from Qiagen). Any isolatedand/or purified nucleic acid can be further manipulated to produce othernucleic acids, used to transfect cells, incorporated into relatedvectors to infect organisms for expression, and/or the like. Typicalcloning vectors contain transcription and translation terminators,transcription and translation initiation sequences, and promoters usefulfor regulation of the expression of the particular target nucleic acid.The vectors optionally comprise generic expression cassettes containingat least one independent terminator sequence, sequences permittingreplication of the cassette in eukaryotes, or prokaryotes, or both,(e.g., shuttle vectors) and selection markers for both prokaryotic andeukaryotic systems. Vectors are suitable for replication and integrationin prokaryotes, eukaryotes, or both.

Other useful references, e.g. for cell isolation and culture (e.g., forsubsequent nucleic acid isolation) include Freshney (1994) Culture ofAnimal Cells, a Manual of Basic Technique, third edition, Wiley-Liss,New York and the references cited therein; Payne et al. (1992) PlantCell and Tissue Culture in Liquid Systems John Wiley & Sons, Inc. NewYork, N.Y.; Gamborg and Phillips (eds) (1995) Plant Cell, Tissue andOrgan Culture; Fundamental Methods Springer Lab Manual, Springer-Verlag(Berlin Heidelberg New York); and Atlas and Parks (eds) The Handbook ofMicrobiological Media (1993) CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.

The present disclosure also includes nucleic acids encoding the alteredpolymerases disclosed herein. A particular amino acid can be encoded bymultiple codons, and certain translation systems (e.g., prokaryotic oreukaryotic cells) often exhibit codon bias, e.g., different organismsoften prefer one of the several synonymous codons that encode the sameamino acid. As such, nucleic acids presented herein are optionally“codon optimized,” meaning that the nucleic acids are synthesized toinclude codons that are preferred by the particular translation systembeing employed to express the polymerase. For example, when it isdesirable to express the polymerase in a bacterial cell (or even aparticular strain of bacteria), the nucleic acid can be synthesized toinclude codons most frequently found in the genome of that bacterialcell, for efficient expression of the polymerase. A similar strategy canbe employed when it is desirable to express the polymerase in aeukaryotic cell, e.g., the nucleic acid can include codons preferred bythat eukaryotic cell.

A variety of protein isolation and detection methods are known and canbe used to isolate polymerases, e.g., from recombinant cultures of cellsexpressing the recombinant polymerases presented herein. A variety ofprotein isolation and detection methods are well known in the art,including, e.g., those set forth in R. Scopes, Protein Purification,Springer-Verlag, N.Y. (1982); Deutscher, Methods in Enzymology Vol. 182:Guide to Protein Purification, Academic Press, Inc. N.Y. (1990); Sandana(1997) Bioseparation of Proteins, Academic Press, Inc.; Bollag et al.(1996) Protein Methods, 2nd Edition Wiley-Liss, NY; Walker (1996) TheProtein Protocols Handbook Humana Press, NJ, Harris and Angal (1990)Protein Purification Applications: A Practical Approach IRL Press atOxford, Oxford, England; Harris and Angal Protein Purification Methods:A Practical Approach IRL Press at Oxford, Oxford, England; Scopes (1993)Protein Purification: Principles and Practice 3rd Edition SpringerVerlag, NY; Janson and Ryden (1998) Protein Purification: Principles,High Resolution Methods and Applications, Second Edition Wiley-VCH, NY;and Walker (1998) Protein Protocols on CD-ROM Humana Press, NJ; and thereferences cited therein. Additional details regarding proteinpurification and detection methods can be found in Satinder Ahuja ed.,Handbook of Bioseparations, Academic Press (2000).

Methods of Use

The altered polymerases presented herein can be used in a sequencingprocedure, such as a sequencing-by-synthesis (SBS) technique. Briefly,SBS can be initiated by contacting the target nucleic acids with one ormore nucleotides (e.g., labelled, synthetic, modified, or a combinationthereof), DNA polymerase, etc. Those features where a primer is extendedusing the target nucleic acid as template will incorporate a labelednucleotide that can be detected. The incorporation time used in asequencing run can be significantly reduced using the alteredpolymerases described herein. Optionally, the labeled nucleotides canfurther include a reversible termination property that terminatesfurther primer extension once a nucleotide has been added to a primer.For example, a nucleotide analog having a reversible terminator moietycan be added to a primer such that subsequent extension cannot occuruntil a deblocking agent is delivered to remove the moiety. Thus, forembodiments that use reversible termination, a deblocking reagent can bedelivered to the flow cell (before or after detection occurs). Washescan be carried out between the various delivery steps. The cycle canthen be repeated n times to extend the primer by n nucleotides, therebydetecting a sequence of length n. Exemplary SBS procedures, fluidicsystems, and detection platforms that can be readily adapted for usewith an array produced by the methods of the present disclosure aredescribed, for example, in Bentley et al., Nature 456:53-59 (2008); WO04/018497; WO 91/06678; WO 07/123744; U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,057,026,7,329,492, 7,211,414, 7,315,019, 7,405,281, and 8,343,746.

Other sequencing procedures that use cyclic reactions can be used, suchas pyrosequencing. Pyrosequencing detects the release of inorganicpyrophosphate (PPi) as particular nucleotides are incorporated into anascent nucleic acid strand (Ronaghi, et al., Analytical Biochemistry242(1), 84-9 (1996); Ronaghi, Genome Res. 11(1), 3-11 (2001); Ronaghi etal. Science 281(5375), 363 (1998); U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,210,891; 6,258,568and 6,274,320). In pyrosequencing, released PPi can be detected by beingconverted to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by ATP sulfurylase, and theresulting ATP can be detected via luciferase-produced photons. Thus, thesequencing reaction can be monitored via a luminescence detectionsystem. Excitation radiation sources used for fluorescence baseddetection systems are not necessary for pyrosequencing procedures.Useful fluidic systems, detectors and procedures that can be used forapplication of pyrosequencing to arrays of the present disclosure aredescribed, for example, in WO 2012/058096, US Pat. App. Pub. No.2005/0191698 A1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,595,883 and 7,244,559.

Some embodiments can use methods involving the real-time monitoring ofDNA polymerase activity. For example, nucleotide incorporations can bedetected through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)interactions between a fluorophore-bearing polymerase andγ-phosphate-labeled nucleotides, or with zeromode waveguides. Techniquesand reagents for FRET-based sequencing are described, for example, inLevene et al. Science 299, 682-686 (2003); Lundquist et al. Opt. Lett.33, 1026-1028 (2008); Korlach et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105,1176-1181 (2008).

Some SBS embodiments include detection of a proton released uponincorporation of a nucleotide into an extension product. For example,sequencing based on detection of released protons can use an electricaldetector and associated techniques that are commercially available fromIon Torrent (Guilford, Conn., a Life Technologies subsidiary) orsequencing methods and systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,262,900,7,948,015, 8,349,167, and US Published Patent Application No.2010/0137143 A1.

Accordingly, presented herein are methods for incorporating nucleotideanalogues into DNA including allowing the following components tointeract: (i) an altered polymerase according to any of the aboveembodiments, (ii) a DNA template; and (iii) a nucleotide solution. Incertain embodiments, the DNA template include a clustered array. Incertain embodiments, the nucleotides are modified at the 3′ sugarhydroxyl, and include modifications at the 3′ sugar hydroxyl such thatthe substituent is larger in size than the naturally occurring 3′hydroxyl group.

Nucleic Acids Encoding Altered Polymerases

The present disclosure also includes nucleic acid molecules encoding thealtered polymerases described herein. For any given altered polymerasewhich is a mutant version of a polymerase for which the amino acidsequence and preferably also the wild type nucleotide sequence encodingthe polymerase is known, it is possible to obtain a nucleotide sequenceencoding the mutant according to the basic principles of molecularbiology. For example, given that the wild type nucleotide sequenceencoding 9° N polymerase is known, it is possible to deduce a nucleotidesequence encoding any given mutant version of 9° N having one or moreamino acid substitutions using the standard genetic code. Similarly,nucleotide sequences can readily be derived for mutant versions otherpolymerases such as, for example, Vent® polymerase, Deep Vent®polymerase, Pfu polymerase, KOD polymerase, Pab polymerase, etc. Nucleicacid molecules having the required nucleotide sequence may then beconstructed using standard molecular biology techniques known in theart.

In accordance with the embodiments presented herein, a defined nucleicacid includes not only the identical nucleic acid but also any minorbase variations including, in particular, substitutions in cases whichresult in a synonymous codon (a different codon specifying the sameamino acid residue) due to the degenerate code in conservative aminoacid substitutions. The term “nucleic acid sequence” also includes thecomplementary sequence to any single stranded sequence given regardingbase variations.

The nucleic acid molecules described herein may also, advantageously, beincluded in a suitable expression vector to express the polymeraseproteins encoded therefrom in a suitable host. Incorporation of clonedDNA into a suitable expression vector for subsequent transformation ofsaid cell and subsequent selection of the transformed cells is wellknown to those skilled in the art as provided in Sambrook et al. (1989),Molecular cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Such an expression vector includes a vector having a nucleic acidaccording to the embodiments presented herein operably linked toregulatory sequences, such as promoter regions, that are capable ofeffecting expression of said DNA fragments. The term “operably linked”refers to a juxtaposition wherein the components described are in arelationship permitting them to function in their intended manner. Suchvectors may be transformed into a suitable host cell to provide for theexpression of a protein according to the embodiments presented herein.

The nucleic acid molecule may encode a mature protein or a proteinhaving a pro-sequence, including that encoding a leader sequence on thepreprotein which is then cleaved by the host cell to form a matureprotein. The vectors may be, for example, plasmid, virus or phagevectors provided with an origin of replication, and optionally apromoter for the expression of said nucleotide and optionally aregulator of the promoter. The vectors may contain one or moreselectable markers, such as, for example, an antibiotic resistance gene.

Regulatory elements required for expression include promoter sequencesto bind RNA polymerase and to direct an appropriate level oftranscription initiation and also translation initiation sequences forribosome binding. For example, a bacterial expression vector may includea promoter such as the lac promoter and for translation initiation theShine-Dalgarno sequence and the start codon AUG. Similarly, a eukaryoticexpression vector may include a heterologous or homologous promoter forRNA polymerase II, a downstream polyadenylation signal, the start codonAUG, and a termination codon for detachment of the ribosome. Suchvectors may be obtained commercially or be assembled from the sequencesdescribed by methods well known in the art.

Transcription of DNA encoding the polymerase by higher eukaryotes may beoptimized by including an enhancer sequence in the vector. Enhancers arecis-acting elements of DNA that act on a promoter to increase the levelof transcription. Vectors will also generally include origins ofreplication in addition to the selectable markers.

The present disclosure also provides a kit for performing a nucleotideincorporation reaction. The kit includes at least one altered polymerasedescribed herein and a nucleotide solution in a suitable packagingmaterial in an amount sufficient for at least one nucleotideincorporation reaction. Optionally, other reagents such as buffers andsolutions needed to use the altered polymerase and nucleotide solutionare also included. Instructions for use of the packaged components arealso typically included.

In certain embodiments, the nucleotide solution includes labellednucleotides. In certain embodiments, the nucleotides are syntheticnucleotides. In certain embodiments, the nucleotides are modifiednucleotides. In certain embodiments, a modified nucleotide has beenmodified at the 3′ sugar hydroxyl such that the substituent is larger insize than the naturally occurring 3′ hydroxyl group. In certainembodiments, the modified nucleotides include a modified nucleotide ornucleoside molecule that includes a purine or pyrimidine base and aribose or deoxyribose sugar moiety having a removable 3′-OH blockinggroup covalently attached thereto, such that the 3′ carbon atom hasattached a group of the structure

—O—Z

-   -   wherein Z is any of —C(R′)₂—O—R″, —C(R′)₂—N(R″)₂,        —C(R′)₂—N(H)R″, —C(R′)₂—S—R″ and —C(R′)₂—F,    -   wherein each R″ is or is part of a removable protecting group;    -   each R′ is independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, substituted        alkyl, arylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl,        heterocyclic, acyl, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy or        amido group, or a detectable label attached through a linking        group; or (R′)₂ represents an alkylidene group of formula        ═C(R′″)₂ wherein each R′″ may be the same or different and is        selected from the group comprising hydrogen and halogen atoms        and alkyl groups; and    -   wherein the molecule may be reacted to yield an intermediate in        which each R″ is exchanged for H or, where Z is —C(R′)₂—F, the F        is exchanged for OH, SH or NH2, preferably OH, which        intermediate dissociates under aqueous conditions to afford a        molecule with a free 3′OH;    -   with the proviso that where Z is —C(R′)₂—S—R″, both R′ groups        are not H.        In certain embodiments, R′ of the modified nucleotide or        nucleoside is an alkyl or substituted alkyl. In certain        embodiments, —Z of the modified nucleotide or nucleoside is of        formula —C(R′)₂—N₃. In certain embodiments, Z is an azidomethyl        group.

In certain embodiments, the modified nucleotides are fluorescentlylabelled to allow their detection. In certain embodiments, the modifiednucleotides include a nucleotide or nucleoside having a base attached toa detectable label via a cleavable linker. In certain embodiments, thedetectable label includes a fluorescent label.

As used herein, the phrase “packaging material” refers to one or morephysical structures used to house the contents of the kit. The packagingmaterial is constructed by known methods, preferably to provide asterile, contaminant-free environment. The packaging material has alabel which indicates that the components can be used for conducting anucleotide incorporation reaction. In addition, the packaging materialcontains instructions indicating how the materials within the kit areemployed to practice a nucleotide incorporation reaction. As usedherein, the term “package” refers to a solid matrix or material such asglass, plastic, paper, foil, and the like, capable of holding withinfixed limits the polypeptides. “Instructions for use” typically includea tangible expression describing the reagent concentration or at leastone assay method parameter, such as the relative amounts of reagent andsample to be admixed, maintenance time periods for reagent/sampleadmixtures, temperature, buffer conditions, and the like.

The complete disclosure of the patents, patent documents, andpublications cited in the Background, the Detailed Description ofExemplary Embodiments, and elsewhere herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety as if each were individually incorporated.

Illustrative embodiments of this invention are discussed, and referencehas been made to possible variations within the scope of this invention.These and other variations, combinations, and modifications in theinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the scope of the invention, and it should be understood that thisinvention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forthherein. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the claimsprovided below and equivalents thereof.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is illustrated by the following examples. It is tobe understood that the particular examples, materials, amounts, andprocedures are to be interpreted broadly in accordance with the scopeand spirit of the invention as set forth herein.

Example 1 General Assay Methods and Conditions

Unless otherwise noted, this describes the general assay conditions usedin the Examples described herein.

A. Cloning and Expression of Polymerases

Methods for making recombinant nucleic acids, expression, and isolationof expressed products are known and described in the art. Mutagenesiswas performed on the coding region encoding a 9°N polymerase (SEQ IDNO: 1) using standard site-directed mutagenesis methodology. PCR-basedapproaches were used to amplify mutated coding regions and add aHis-tag. For each mutation made, the proper sequence of the alteredcoding region was confirmed by determining the sequence of the clonedDNA.

His-tagged mutant polymerase coding regions were subcloned into pET 11avector and transformed into BL21 Star (DE3) expression cells(Invitrogen). Overnight cultures from single-picked colonies were usedto inoculate expression cultures in 2.8 L flasks. Cultures were grown at37° C. until OD600 of about 0.8, protein expression was then inducedwith 0.2 mM IPTG and followed by 4 hours of additional growth. Cultureswere centrifuged at 7000 rpm for 20 minutes. Cell pellets were stored at−20° C. until purification.

Pellets were freeze-thawed and lysed with 5×w/v lysis buffer (50 mMTris-HCl pH7.5, 1 mM EDTA, 0.1% BME, and 5% Glycerol) in the presence ofReady-Lyse and Omnicleave reagents (Epicentre) according to manufacturerrecommendations. The final NaCl concentration was raised to 500 mM andlysate was incubated on ice for 5 minutes. Following centrifugation, thesupernatant was incubated at 80° C. for about 70 minutes. All furtherpurification was performed at 4° C. Supernatant was iced for 30 minbefore being centrifuged and purified using 5 mL Ni Sepharose HP columns(GE). Columns were pre-equilibrated with Buffer A (50 mM Tris-HCl pH7.5, 1 mM EDTA, 5% Glycerol, 500 mM NaCl, and 20 mM Imidazole). Thecolumn was eluted using a 75 mL gradient from 20 to 500 mM imidazole.Peak fractions were pooled and diluted with 10% glycerol to match theconductivity of SP Buffer A (50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mMEDTA, 5% Glycerol) and loaded onto 5 mL SP Sepharose columns (GE). Thecolumn was eluted using a 100 mL gradient from 150 to 1000 mM NaCl. Peakfractions were pooled, dialyzed into storage buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl pH7.5, 300 mM KCL, 0.1 mM EDTA, and 50% Glycerol) and stored at −20° C.

B. Error Rate and Phasing Analysis

Sequencing experiments were used to compare error rates and phasingvalues. Unless indicated otherwise, the experiments were carried out ona MiniSeq™ system (Illumina, Inc., San Diego, Calif.), according tomanufacturer instructions. For example, for each polymerase, a separateincorporation mix (IMX) was prepared and used in a short run (35 cyclesin read 1) or long run (227 cycle run of 151 in read 1 and 76 in read2). Standard MiniSeq Mid Output Reagent Cartridge formulations wereused, with the standard polymerase substituted with the polymerase beingtested, at a concentration of 90 μg/mL. The time for incubation of IMXon the flowcell varied as noted in the Examples herein. The DNA libraryused was made following the standard TruSeq™ Nano protocol (Illumina,Inc.), with 350 bp target insert size, using E. coli genomic DNA; PhiXDNA (Illumina, Inc) was added to resulting library in ˜1:10 molar ratio.Illumina RTA Software was used to evaluate error rate on both genomes aswell as phasing levels.

Example 2 Sequencing Performance of Altered Polymerases

A number of altered polymerases were identified that had error rates andphasing levels in a short run under a short incorporation time that werenot substantially greater than a control polymerase used in a short rununder a standard incorporation time. Table 2 below compares sequencingperformance of the altered polymerases listed in Table 1 at 14 secincorporation time relative to a control polymerase represented by Pol812 (SEQ ID NO:8). The quality metrics used to evaluate the alteredpolymerases were the phasing rates of read 1 (“R1 Phasing”) andcumulative error rates of E. coli (“E. coli Error”) and bacteriophagePhiX (“PhiX Error”) sequencing controls. The metrics were normalized tocorresponding Pol 812 phasing and error rates at the standard (46 sec)incorporation time (“812 STD”). For example, the R1 phasing rate of Pol812 at the short incorporation time (“812 Fast”) is 6 fold higher thanits R1 phasing at the standard incorporation time, whereas thecumulative E. coli and PhiX error rates are 12.5 and 6.4 fold higher,respectively. Similarly, the R1 phasing rate of Pol 963 (SEQ ID NO:9) atthe short incorporation time is 5.9 fold higher than the R1 phasing ofPol 812 at the standard incorporation time, whereas the cumulative E.coli and PhiX error rates of Pol 963 are 4.6 and 3.6 fold higher,respectively.

TABLE 2 Performance metrics of the altered polymerases listed inTable 1. Pol Sequencing Performance (SEQ ID NO:) R1 Phasing E. coliError PhiX Error 812 STD (8) 1.0 1.0 1.0 812 Fast (8) 6.0 12.5 6.4 963(9) 5.9 4.6 3.6 *1550 (10) 3.0 1.5 1.4 *1558 (11) 2.9 1.5 1.5 1563 (12)3.5 1.7 1.6 1565 (13) 3.3 2.3 1.6 1630 (14) 3.3 1.9 1.5 1634 (15) 3.11.7 1.7 1641 (16) 3.1 2.0 1.5 1573 (17) 3.2 1.6 1.4 1576 (18) 3.6 1.51.4 1584 (19) 3.5 2.0 1.5 1586 (20) 3.9 2.9 2.2 1601 (21) 2.9 3.1 1.91611 (22) 3.7 3.8 2.4 *1671 (23) 2.9 1.3 1.2 *1677 (24) 3.0 1.9 1.7*1682 (25) 2.8 1.6 1.4 1700 (26) 3.3 1.7 1.7 *1680 (27) 2.8 1.7 1.6*1745 (28) 2.7 1.6 1.2 *1758 (29) 2.8 1.6 1.3 *1761 (30) 2.7 1.5 1.4*1762 (31) 2.8 1.6 1.4 *1765 (32) 2.8 1.3 1.2 *1769 (33) 2.6 1.4 1.2*1770 (34) 2.7 2.0 1.3

Altered polymerases characterized by relative phasing rates no greaterthan 3.0 and cumulative error rates no greater than 2.0 at shortincorporation times represent particularly attractive candidates forfast SBS applications. Example of such polymerases are denoted in boldfont and an asterisk in Table 2. Additional results are shown in FIGS. 2and 3.

FIG. 2 shows reduced phasing and cumulative error rates at shortincorporation times demonstrated by one of the altered polymerasesidentified in Example 2, Pol 1558 (SEQ ID NO: 11), when compared to aPol 812 control (left panels). The two enzymes show comparable phasingand error rates at standard incorporation times (right panels).

FIG. 3A shows reduced R1 phasing and cumulative E. coli error rates atshort incorporation times demonstrated by selected altered polymerasesidentified in Example 2, Pol 1558, Pol 1671 (SEQ ID NO:23), Pol 1682(SEQ ID NO:25), and Pol 1745 (SEQ ID NO:28), when compared to Pol 812and Pol 963 controls. The broken lines in the top and bottom panelsindicate the cumulative E. coli error and R1 phasing rates demonstratedby Pol 812 at standard incorporation times.

FIG. 3B compares the phasing and prephasing rates of the same alteredpolymerases in reference to Pol 812 and Pol 963 controls, showingreductions in the phasing rates by Pols 1558, 1671, 1682, and 1745.

Example 3 Activity of Altered Polymerases Under Long Run Conditions

Selected altered polymerases identified in Example 2 were evaluatedusing different run lengths. Cumulative PhiX error rates for each of thealtered polymerases at standard incorporation times (46 sec) werecompared to phasing and cumulative error rates at short incorporationtimes (22 sec) during long sequencing runs (250 cycles in read 1followed by 250 cycles in read 2, for a total of 500 cycles). The longerrun conditions result in more sequence information (i.e., the identityof more nucleotides is determined) per run and are similar to theconditions often used in sequencing platforms, for instance whensequencing a whole genome. The results are shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 compares cumulative PhiX errors rates of Pol 1550 (SEQ ID NO:10)and Pol 1558 (SEQ ID NO:11) with that of Pol 812 (SEQ ID NO:8) controlat standard and short incorporation times during long sequencing reads(2×250 cycles). Both mutants show notable reductions in error ratesfollowing the paired-end turn. In addition, Pol 1550 shows a significantreduction in error rate compared to Pol 812 during the first sequencingread.

Example 4 Evaluation of Sequencing Metrics on NovaSeq™

One of the altered polymerases identified in Example 2, Pol 1671, wasevaluated on Illumina's NovaSeq™ platform using the S1 flow cell andNovaSeq™ sequencing chemistry. Error rates, phasing levels, and othersequencing quality metrics were determined for reads 1 and 2 at shortand standard incorporation times. The results for Pol 1671 and Pol 812are summarized in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5A shows a comparison between NovaSeq™ sequencing metrics of Pol1671 (SEQ ID NO:23), demonstrated at short incorporation times (10 sec),and those of Pol 812 (SEQ ID NO:8) control demonstrated at standard (40sec) and short (10 sec) incorporation times. The top panels show thepercentages of clusters passing filter (“Clusters PF”); the bottompanels show the cumulative PhiX error rates. The light open circlesdenote the Pol 812 metrics at the standard incorporation times, whereasthe dark open circles denote the Pol 812 metrics at the shortincorporation times. All of the Pol 1671 metrics denoted by the solidcircles are at the short incorporation times. The results indicate thatPol 1671 shows comparable performance in both reads at the shortincorporation times to that of Pol 812 at the standard incorporationtimes.

FIG. 5B summarizes the cumulative PhiX error rates, Q30 values, andphasing rates shown by Pol 1671 in reference to Pol 812 control forNovaSeq™ reads 1 and 2 at standard (40 sec) and short (22 sec)incorporation times. Significant improvements in the sequencing qualityof both reads were observed when Pol 1671 was used.

The complete disclosure of all patents, patent applications, andpublications, and electronically available material (including, forinstance, nucleotide sequence submissions in, e.g., GenBank and RefSeq,and amino acid sequence submissions in, e.g., SwissProt, PIR, PRF, PDB,and translations from annotated coding regions in GenBank and RefSeq)cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.Supplementary materials referenced in publications (such assupplementary tables, supplementary figures, supplementary materials andmethods, and/or supplementary experimental data) are likewiseincorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event that anyinconsistency exists between the disclosure of the present applicationand the disclosure(s) of any document incorporated herein by reference,the disclosure of the present application shall govern. The foregoingdetailed description and examples have been given for clarity ofunderstanding only. No unnecessary limitations are to be understoodtherefrom. The invention is not limited to the exact details shown anddescribed, for variations obvious to one skilled in the art will beincluded within the invention defined by the claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofcomponents, molecular weights, and so forth used in the specificationand claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances bythe term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification andclaims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desiredproperties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the veryleast, and not as an attempt to limit the doctrine of equivalents to thescope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least beconstrued in light of the number of reported significant digits and byapplying ordinary rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. All numerical values, however, inherently contain a rangenecessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements.

All headings are for the convenience of the reader and should not beused to limit the meaning of the text that follows the heading, unlessso specified.

1. A recombinant DNA polymerase comprising an amino acid sequence thatis at least 80% identical to a 9°N DNA polymerase amino acid sequenceSEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the recombinant DNA polymerase comprises an aminoacid substitution mutation at a position functionally equivalent toTyr497 and at least one amino acid substitution mutation at a positionfunctionally equivalent to Phe152, Val278, Met329, Val471, Thr514,Leu631, or Glu734 in the 9°N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence.
 2. Thepolymerase of claim 1, wherein the substitution mutation at the positionfunctionally equivalent to Tyr497 comprises a mutation to a non-polar,hydrophobic, or uncharged amino acid.
 3. The polymerase of claim 1,wherein the substitution mutation at the position functionallyequivalent to Tyr497 comprises a mutation to Gly.
 4. The polymerase ofclaim 1, wherein the substitution mutation at the position functionallyequivalent to Phe152 comprises a mutation to a non-polar, hydrophobic,or uncharged amino acid.
 5. The polymerase of claim 1, wherein thesubstitution mutation at the position functionally equivalent to Phe152comprises a mutation to Gly.
 6. The polymerase of claim 1, wherein thesubstitution mutation at the position functionally equivalent to Val278comprises a mutation to a non-polar or hydrophobic amino acid.
 7. Thepolymerase of claim 1, wherein the substitution mutation at the positionfunctionally equivalent to Val278 comprises a mutation to Leu.
 8. Thepolymerase of claim 1, wherein the substitution mutation at the positionfunctionally equivalent to Met329 comprises a mutation to a polar aminoacid.
 9. The polymerase of claim 1, wherein the substitution mutation atthe position functionally equivalent to Met329 comprises a mutation toHis.
 10. The polymerase of claim 1, wherein the substitution mutation atthe position functionally equivalent to Val471 comprises a mutation to apolar or uncharged amino acid.
 11. The polymerase of claim 1, whereinthe substitution mutation at the position functionally equivalent toVal471 comprises a mutation to Ser.
 12. The polymerase of claim 1,wherein the substitution mutation at the position functionallyequivalent to Thr514 comprises a mutation to a non-polar or hydrophobicamino acid.
 13. The polymerase of claim 1, wherein the substitutionmutation at the position functionally equivalent to Thr514 comprises amutation to Ala.
 14. The polymerase of claim 1, wherein the substitutionmutation at the position functionally equivalent to Leu631 comprises amutation to a non-polar or hydrophobic amino acid.
 15. The polymerase ofclaim 1, wherein the substitution mutation at the position functionallyequivalent to Leu631 comprises a mutation to Met.
 16. The polymerase ofclaim 1, wherein the substitution mutation at the position functionallyequivalent to Glu734 comprises a mutation to a polar amino acid.
 17. Thepolymerase of claim 1, wherein the substitution mutation at the positionfunctionally equivalent to Glu734 comprises a mutation to Arg.
 18. Thepolymerase of claim 1, wherein the polymerase comprises at least two, atleast three, at least four, at least five, at least six, or seven aminoacid substitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent to anamino acid selected from Phe152, Val278, Met329, Val471, Thr514, Leu631,and Glu734 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence.
 19. Thepolymerase of claim 1, wherein the polymerase further comprises aminoacid substitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent toamino acids Met129, Asp141, Glu143, Cys223, Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, andAla485 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence. 20-32. (canceled)33. A recombinant DNA polymerase comprising an amino acid sequence thatis at least 80% identical to a 9°N DNA polymerase amino acid sequenceSEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the recombinant DNA polymerase comprises an aminoacid substitution mutation at position functionally equivalent to Tyr497and at least one amino acid substitution mutation at a positionfunctionally equivalent to Arg247, Glu599, Lys620, His633, or Val661 inthe 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence.
 34. The polymerase of claim33, wherein the substitution mutation at the position functionallyequivalent to Arg247 comprises a mutation to a non-polar or unchargedamino acid.
 35. The polymerase of claim 33, wherein the substitutionmutation at the position functionally equivalent to Arg247 comprises amutation to Tyr.
 36. The polymerase of claim 33, wherein thesubstitution mutation at the position functionally equivalent to Glu599comprises a mutation to a polar amino acid.
 37. The polymerase of claim33, wherein the substitution mutation at the position functionallyequivalent to Glu599 comprises a mutation to Asp.
 38. The polymerase ofclaim 33, wherein the substitution mutation at the position functionallyequivalent to Lys620 comprises a mutation to a polar amino acid.
 39. Thepolymerase of claim 33, wherein the substitution mutation at theposition functionally equivalent to Lys620 comprises a mutation to Arg.40. The polymerase of claim 33, wherein the substitution mutation at theposition functionally equivalent to His633 comprises a mutation to anon-polar, hydrophobic, or uncharged amino acid.
 41. The polymerase ofclaim 33, wherein the substitution mutation at the position functionallyequivalent to His633 comprises a mutation to Gly.
 42. The polymerase ofclaim 33, wherein the substitution mutation at the position functionallyequivalent to Val661 comprises a mutation to a polar amino acid.
 43. Thepolymerase of claim 33, wherein the substitution mutation at theposition functionally equivalent to Val661 comprises a mutation to Asp.44. The polymerase of claim 33, wherein the polymerase comprises atleast two, at least three, at least four, or five amino acidsubstitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent to an aminoacid selected from Arg247, Glu599, Lys620, His633, and Val661 in the 9°NDNA polymerase amino acid sequence.
 45. The polymerase of claim 33,wherein the polymerase further comprises amino acid substitutionmutations at positions functionally equivalent to amino acids Met129,Asp141, Glu143, Cys223, Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, and Ala485 in the 9° NDNA polymerase amino acid sequence. 46-49. (canceled)
 50. A recombinantDNA polymerase comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 80%identical to a 9°N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1,wherein the recombinant DNA polymerase comprises (i) an amino acidsubstitution mutation at position functionally equivalent to Tyr497;(ii) at least one amino acid substitution mutation at a positionfunctionally equivalent to Phe152, Val278, Met329, Val471, Thr514,Leu631, or Glu734 in the 9°N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence, and(iii) at least one amino acid substitution mutation at a positionfunctionally equivalent to Arg247, Glu599, Lys620, His633, or Val661 inthe 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence.
 51. The polymerase of claim50, wherein the polymerase comprises at least two, at least three, atleast four, at least five, at least six, or seven amino acidsubstitution mutations at positions functionally equivalent to an aminoacid selected from Phe152, Val278, Met329, Val471, Thr514, Leu631, andGlu734 in the 9° N DNA polymerase amino acid sequence.
 52. Thepolymerase of claim 50, wherein the polymerase comprises at least two,at least three, at least four, or five amino acid substitution mutationsat positions functionally equivalent to an amino acid selected fromArg247, Glu599, Lys620, His633, or Val661 in the 9°N DNA polymeraseamino acid sequence.
 53. The polymerase of claim 50, wherein thepolymerase further comprises amino acid substitution mutations atpositions functionally equivalent to amino acids Met129, Asp141, Glu143,Cys223, Leu408, Tyr409, Pro410, and Ala485 in the 9° N DNA polymeraseamino acid sequence. 54-98. (canceled)